Disneyland Resort Cast Members Join Actors' Equity Association in Unionization Vote
Following a three-day voting process, 1,700 Disneyland Resort cast members have decided to unionize by joining the Actors’ Equity Association.
You can now include Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy in the increasing number of employees looking for improved job benefits.
After a three-day voting process last week, 1,700 Disneyland Resort cast members, who portray characters at the theme park in Anaheim, California, and participate in parades, decided to join Actors’ Equity Association, a union that was announced on Saturday night.
Equity celebrated the vote as a big win, with 953 cast members supporting unionization and 258 against it.
The group had started their union organizing campaign in February and later requested a vote from the National Labor Relations Board in April. At Disneyland, there are over 21,000 "cast member" employees, with representation from multiple unions. These unions cover a variety of jobs such as retail, food service, security, pyrotechnics, and hair and makeup.
Until now, employees dressing up as iconic Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Snow White, and Captain Hook have been excluded.
“These workers are on the front lines of the Guest experience; they’re the human beings who create lifelong memories when your kids hug a character, or when your family watches a parade roll by the castle,” said Actors’ Equity Association President Kate Shindle in a statement. “The next step will be to collaborate with them about improving health & safety, wages, benefits, working conditions, and job security.”
The results of the certification by the labor relations board are anticipated to be announced next week. Following this, negotiations for a contract with The Walt Disney Company will commence. Equity mentioned that they are unsure of the duration of the bargaining process but noted that Disney has been cooperative so far.
According to a spokesperson from Equity in an interview with CNN, there has been a longstanding positive relationship with The Walt Disney Company at Walt Disney World and Disney Theatricals. They are enthusiastic about developing a similarly productive partnership with the Disneyland Resort.
A Disneyland Resort spokesperson mentioned to CNN that they are unable to provide a comment on the unionization vote at this time as the election results have not been officially confirmed. The spokesperson added that regardless of the outcome, they appreciate that their staff members had the chance to express their opinions.
Meanwhile, in Disney World on the opposite coast, Teamsters have been representing character actors since the 1980s. Over 400 actors, stunt performers, and singers joined Equity in 1990 at the theme park in Orlando, Florida. Currently, Equity estimates that they now represent approximately 800 cast members at Disney World.
The story has been updated with additional details.
CNN’s Chris Isidore and Natasha Chen contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The unionization of Disneyland Resort cast members who portray iconic Disney characters marks a significant shift in the entertainment industry. For decades, these employees have been excluded from collective bargaining agreements, leaving them with limited benefits and job security. The vote in favor of joining Actors' Equity Association reflects their growing desire for improved working conditions and a voice in their workplace. This development highlights the ongoing trend of employees across various sectors seeking union representation to address concerns over wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Moreover, the unionization effort at Disneyland Resort demonstrates the growing influence of unions within the entertainment industry. In recent years, unions have made significant gains in organizing workers in the film and television industries, including writers, actors, and crew members. This trend suggests a broader shift towards greater worker power and collective bargaining in the entertainment sector. As unions continue to expand their presence in the industry, they will likely play an increasingly important role in shaping working conditions and ensuring that employees have a fair share of the industry's success.
